Frizz parked the motorcycle on the side of the road, waiting for Mina, who had gone to relieve herself. He sighed since he drove in the opposite direction of Mina's house. (I hope the police aren't there when I drive past that ruined stall.)
Frizz spent the next few minutes deciding which perk to choose. "I can't decide; better do a coin flip," he muttered, flipping a coin and catching it. "Heads."
"Poisonous words it is," Frizz declared. He was torn between sex change and poisonous words. The former was decent at blending in, and the latter was decent in taunting, he'd assumed.
[System]
Received: [Poisonous Words]
Displaying descriptions: The perk user's words carry venomous power. With each word uttered in a hostile manner, there's a moderate chance your words will manifest as literal poison, harming and weakening the target.
"Oh... It's literal poison." Frizz paused in surprise. "I thought it was an expression."
[System]
New Name is now level 10.
Select a class: [Fighter] [Warrior] [Mage] [Sorcerer] [Ranger] [Assassin]
Frizz's eyes widened; he chuckled, a familiar sense of excitement flooding back to him. (A class!) A wide grin formed across his face.
(Okay, big decision to make.) Frizz closed his eyes, taking a deep breath.
"System, show me their descriptions!"
[System]
Class description is only available when selected.
Frizz's eyes darkened; his system was being uncooperative once more. "As always, as always," he muttered in defeat, glancing back at the options.
"System, can I at least change my class later on?" he asked.
[System]
Classes have several sub-classes, and every ten levels. You can select another class, unlocking more subclasses.
Some classes are hidden.
Frizz grinned, since this time, his system provided much-needed information. "So I can merge a class with another class, and some sub-classes will then be unlocked. Not bad." He whispered to himself, rubbing his chin.
However, Frizz's smile was half-hearted; disappointment crept on his face. He only had six to choose from, and some classes weren't available.
"No, no. Think positive." Frizz pushed all the negative thoughts away. "Survival is all that matters; the rest can be scrutinized later," he concluded, considering the present threat.
"System, give me the fighter class," Frizz confidently decided.
(So what if it is basic? If it gets the job done, why not? Magic casting is good and all, but I don't want to attract a lot of attention. I'll pick it later.)
[System]
New Name is now a [Fighter]!
Class description: The fighter is a versatile combatant, excelling in both offense and defense. Fighters excel in endurance and strength, and in a battle of attrition, they'd be the last person standing.
Received three [Fighter] perks: [✬Efficient Recovery✬] [✬Single Minded Fool✬] [✬Unique Battle Sense✬]
[✬Efficient Recovery✬] Description: Reduces the time it takes to recover stamina and fatigue.
[✬Single Minded Fool✬] Description: Grants moderate resistance to fear and dread.
[✬Unique Battle Sense✬] Description: The perk user's instincts are heightened, allowing them to dodge melee and ranged attacks subconsciously.
"Holy crap, I never expected these boons." Frizz grinned, practically looking like a madman. "Thank you, thank you, thank you." He repeated his gratitude to his nonchalant system, internally celebrating.
Received three [Fighter] skills:
Frizz's eyes widened, his jaws jittering, and he nearly foamed at the mouth at the next message. The elation was far greater than when he'd first received the system. His hands shook, his legs felt light; a strong breeze could've knocked him over.
"Hey?" A voice rang out behind him, causing Frizz to instantly snap out of his thoughts. It was Mina; she'd seen everything.
Mina cautiously approached Frizz, his barely concealed grin directed at the asphalt. She takes a quick, uneasy glance at him. "Is this why they are after you? You're tweaking? From the drugs you didn't pay?"
Frizz raised a brow, confused at her question. "No, I don't use drugs. What are you talking about?" he defensively replied; he was too focused on the moment that he forgot about Mina.
"I've heard what you were muttering to yourself. What's happening to you?"
Frizz's expression soured, furrowing his brows, pretending not to understand Mina's inquiry. "Uh, what?"
Mina seethed and clicked her tongue, offended by his obvious deflection. "I'm not dumb; I saw how you made that big frying pan float and that beer bottle go straight to your hand."
"I was scared, shivering under the table, but I saw it all happen," Mina emphasized, pointing a finger as she stepped forward. "What are you!?"
Frizz darted his eyes to the ground, mind in conflict. (Do I reveal myself? She deserves to know, but at the same time, what if she freaks out and tells?) He mused, considering the ramifications.
Ultimately, after a moment of contemplation, Frizz raised a hand, releasing a small telekinetic push. Mina slightly recoiled from the sudden force.
Four minutes later...
Frizz explained his abilities to her, his conflict with Brandon, his actions, and lastly his goals. He omitted the part about his system, explaining that his powers manifested one day and that he has been using it to rid their town of criminals.
Mina didn't believe Frizz until he vanished in front of her, showcasing his chameleon perk. He unlocked the motorcycle seat, looking for an item to help demonstrate his prowess. Grabbing and tossing a tire iron.
The tire iron orbited around Frizz's right hand; Mina carefully reached out to take it. "The reason why they targeted you first was because they didn't know how to deal with me."
Mina threw the tire iron back up, stopping then slowly orbiting Frizz's right hand again. "A person suddenly making things fly straight at you, you'd be spooked and cautious too."
"Then why were you talking to yourself and staring at the ground?" Mina asked in disbelief, still registering the fact that the person in front of her was terrifyingly superpowered.
Frizz shifted his gaze, thinking of a lie. "I see energies around us, and I wasn't talking. I was chanting." He lied as Mina listened, looking around her and trying to spot the 'energies.'.
"You need to have the ability and talent to use these kinds of powers," Frizz lied, putting a hand up. Though he couldn't tell if it was convincing.
Mina gulped as she stared at Frizz. "Ca-Can I learn this power?" She asked, stuttering.
Frizz was taken aback by her straightforwardness; he thought it'd take time for her to register everything, but she recovered fast.
"Maybe? I don't know. It just appeared one day. I don't know what to teach even." Frizz shrugged his shoulders.
Mina closed her eyes; disappointment formed over her. "Please help me, I beg you," she pleaded as she kneeled on both legs and bowed her head, surprising Frizz. (She's this desperate?)
"Please, I couldn't take it anymore. Help me. I have multiple siblings to take care of; my mother is just a fruit vendor, while my father is just a driver. I want to take care of my family; we're still struggling with our bills." Mina explained her difficult situation; tears welled up in her eyes as her voice cracked.
Frizz was at a loss, he helped her stand and assured her. "Look, don't do that. I am not some angel or something." Frizz brushed off her pants.
"It's my fault you got into this situation so I'll try to protect you," Frizz said in confidence tinged with guilt while staring at Mina's fatigued face. Her beauty, almost covered from the toll of stress.
(Lately, I've been feeling detached and relaxed. The usual panic and anxiety are mostly gone. Is this why I am distant from her outbursts? I guess if it weren't for my perks, I'd be a nervous wreck.) Frizz thought.
Mina's fears softened, assured by Frizz's words. "Let me take you home, to your uncle," he said as she fixed her jacket.
Twenty minutes later...
Frizz drove Mina home, passing by the ruined stall. The owner was nowhere to be seen, and the earlier panic had subsided. There were several policemen around, causing him to shrink and slowly drive past since he doesn't have a helmet.
(I guess those four were caught and are now in jail.) He thought, smirking.
Ten minutes later...
Mina dismounted the motorcycle, crossing her arms, her gaze shifting around cautiously. "They're not here," she said, relieved.
"Yeah, they must've backed down or something," Frizz replied as he reeled the motorcycle in the opposite direction, noticing the fuel gauge. (It's half-full.)
"What are you going to do with the motorcycle? You stole it," Mina curiously asked, noticing that when they drove past the ruined stall, the other motorcycle was gone. (It was probably impounded, taken as evidence.) She thought.
"I might keep it, I guess? Though I don't think my brother would agree," Frizz answered as he revved. "Listen, take care, and do message me on Fishbook if something goes wrong."
"Remember, don't tell anyone about my situation," Frizz declared as Mina nodded her head in understanding.
"I won't," Mina replied, giving a soft smile highlighted by the moonlight, staring at Frizz's back.
Frizz grunted, then sped away, heading home.